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Articles by Betty Hassler

Wholly Holy: Holy Actions

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The word holy has a bad reputation today. A holy-roller is “holier-than-thou.” Holy is placed before any and all exclamations: Holy cow! Holy smoke! Holy malarkey!

Yet in the Bible, we come to know a holy God. Peter said, “as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15, HCSB).

The English origin of our word holy is “whole.” To be “whole” is to be complete or mature. Can we aspire to be wholly whole, or wholly holy? This week let’s determine ways to be wholly holy in dependence, character, thoughts, speech, and actions.

 

Holy Actions

Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.

1 Peter 2:21

dreamstimefree_156958I tend to stick my nose into other people’s business. Maybe I have a “crusader complex,” thinking one day I’ll disappear into a phone booth and come out clothed like Superman.

Do you have an injustice bothering you? Just let me know. I’ll fix it! If someone cuts in line, I’ll be the first to let her know. If a loud cell phone conversation is being held in a public place, I’ll tell the offender to soften her tone. I can also leap tall buildings with a single bound.

I’m not saying these are unholy actions, but I know they spring from unholy attitudes. If my personal space is being invaded, like the proverbial mother hen, I spring into action to take care of my needs and the perceived needs of others.

That’s the thing about actions—they originate in our minds (hearts). If we want to clean up our actions, we must first clean up our attitudes. “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5, HCSB).

Galatians 5:22ff is a good place to start as I contemplate the “fruit of the Spirit.” Then, I will be more prone to act in ways that demonstrate patience, kindness, goodness, and a host of other virtues. There is a reason these virtues are called “fruit.” Fruit grows from the tree or seed-bearing plant that has nourished it. Jesus directed us to stay connected to “the vine” (Jn. 15:1-5). Good trees bear good fruit.

Think about a rude, crude, or inappropriate action you’ve witnessed recently. Then ask what attitudes prompted those events. Now examine a recent action you wish you could retrieve—a “do-over.” What attitudes motivated those actions?

Now think about a holy action you’ve seen demonstrated recently. What did she do? What attitudes do you think motivated those actions? How can you cultivate those same attitudes on a daily basis?

Today I’m going to concentrate on honoring God with my actions. Better start with an attitude adjustment!

Seeking to be wholly holy,

Betty

Photo Credit: http://www.dreamstime.com

Wholly Holy: Holy Speech

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The word holy has a bad reputation today. A holy-roller is “holier-than-thou.” Holy is placed before any and all exclamations: Holy cow! Holy smoke! Holy malarkey!

Yet in the Bible, we come to know a holy God. Peter said, “as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15, HCSB).

The English origin of our word holy is “whole.” To be “whole” is to be complete or mature. Can we aspire to be wholly whole, or wholly holy? This week let’s determine ways to be wholly holy in dependence, character, thoughts, speech, and actions.

 

Holy Speech

For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

1 Peter 3:10

Oh, you are cuteWhat do you do when someone says something critical about you?

Recently, I spoke at a women’s luncheon. Afterwards, several people came by to express appreciation. One lady remained.

She used one of my remarks to launch into her own work history in the fashion industry. She selected fabrics and did much of the sewing. “Clothes just aren’t made the way they used to be,” she lamented. “Take what you’re wearing … ”

Now, I may be no clotheshorse, but I had carefully selected my outfit from an upper tier department store. Flabbergasted by her remark, I remained silent while she carried on with her list of complaints about modern dressmaking.

Her remark reminded me of another one from a lady I encountered at a ministers/wives retreat. I was climbing into the swimming pool when the only other occupant commented on my one-piece swimsuit. “I didn’t know they made those anymore,” she laughed.

Again, I was speechless with surprise. I don’t know how other people handle these situations, but I don’t seem to have a ready list of clever replies, whether the comment is about my hair, complexion, or shoe size.

And why do people even comment on other people’s appearance, unless they want to give a compliment? Beats me.

Today’s Dose verse seems wise (especially if you don’t want your teeth rearranged). But in our society, where every stray thought winds up on Twitter, I wonder if we haven’t lost a notch on simple kindness.

In Philippians 4:8 Paul tells us to think about things that are pure, righteous, excellent, praiseworthy, lovely, admirable, noble, and true. That lets out a bunch of conversation and almost every line of today’s reality shows, movies, and television programming.

For today, keep any “rotten speech” (Eph. 4:29) at bay—whether from your mouth or anything electronic!

Seeking to be wholly holy,

Betty

Photo credit: Olga Vasilkova | Dreamstime Stock Photos

Wholly Holy: Holy Thoughts

Posted on: by: Comments: Leave a comment

The word holy has a bad reputation today. A holy-roller is “holier-than-thou.” Holy is placed before any and all exclamations: Holy cow! Holy smoke! Holy malarkey!

Yet in the Bible, we come to know a holy God. Peter said, “as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct” (1 Pet. 1:15, HCSB).

The English origin of our word holy is “whole.” To be “whole” is to be complete or mature. Can we aspire to be wholly whole, or wholly holy? This week let’s determine ways to be wholly holy in dependence, character, thoughts, speech, and actions.

 

Holy Thoughts

Mary pondered all these things in her heart.

Luke 2:19, 51

begging for chance - business womanTwice in the Book of Luke we’re told Mary pondered  …

Both occurrences followed amazing, wondrous events—certainly worthy of intense scrutiny. In Luke 2:19, following Jesus’ birth, Mary pondered the visit of the shepherds— God’s way of assuring her that this baby conceived by the Holy Spirit was indeed His Son, the promised Messiah. After all, angelic beings had made the announcement. Then, in Luke 2:51, after Jesus had astonished the temple rabbis at age 12, Mary pondered once more her eyewitness seat to history.

But why did Luke record that Mary pondered—not once, but twice? Seemingly, he wanted us to know Mary was a deep thinker, one who sought to discern the ways of God. If we didn’t know this about Mary, we might think she was on autopilot when she accepted the angel’s revelation about the miraculous birth. No, she asked questions and considered the implications. Read Luke 1:34-38.

Afterward, she journeyed to visit Elizabeth and sought counsel. She had many months to consider the approaching birth of Jesus. I’m certain she often pondered the angel’s message, Joseph’s reaction, the townspeople’s gossip, and her engagement.

I feel sure Mary continued to ponder throughout His earthly ministry and as she stood before the cross and the empty tomb. A lifetime would not have been long enough to search out the meaning of all she had seen and heard.

So, may I ask? Have you pondered recently? The reason I ask is that pondering is very time-consuming. It’s not a quick process or even an intriguing thought. Pondering takes contemplation. And who has time for that anymore?

Note to self: Pondering God’s wonders can happen over my kitchen sink, as I walk my dog, while I’m sitting in traffic, or during any other “free space” during the day.

Ask God to help you ponder the thoughts He wants you to dwell on today.

Seeking to be wholly holy,

Betty

Photo credit: Andres Rodriguez | Dreamstime Stock Photos